Importing the ‘Abortion Pill’

The National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles says “Hurrah!” to the editorial calling for FDA action to introduce RU-486 into the United States for research and medical use.

RU-486 is a drug that could prove to be the “penicillin of the 1990s”. It has potential use for breast cancer and other cancers, for endometriosis, glaucoma, Cushing’s Syndrome and possibly, even AIDS. The fact that it also provides for a safer non-surgical abortion should not turn RU-486 into a political issue. The anti-choice forces have successfully pressured the FDA and the current Administration to refuse certification, which has convinced the French manufacturers not to risk sending the drug here.

The NCJW has been actively involved in efforts to bring RU-486 into California, one of the few states in the Union that has the legal means to import the drug for research and testing.

FRAN LYONS, President & ROSLYN COOPERMAN, Vice President, National Council of Jewish Women/L.A.